Texas Dove Hunters Association

Record white-wing numbers gets us pretty fired up for season, what about y’all?! For the third year in a row now, Texas Parks & Wildlife’s spring dove surveys and reporting are estimating record or near-record highs in mourning and white-winger dove numbers, including the highest estimates ever for white-wings.

The 2026 statewide estimated mourning dove population is 36.7 million, which is a 2% increase from 2025 and 29% above the long-term average. The statewide estimated white-wing population is 12.9 million, which is a 10% increase from 2025 and 25% above the long-term average. 📈📊🐦🪶

The bottom line? Dove population and habitats look promising, and a wetter-than-normal year has tanks, waterways, and agricultural fields healthier than ever. Barring any unexpected storms or heavy rainfall that could happen between now and Sept. 1, we’re expecting a great Opening Day!

Read the full TPW 2026 Dove Population Status Report: tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/game_management/dove_summary/doveStatusReport.phtml

Data and reporting credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife

Time is running out to enter the 2026 TEXAS BANDED BIRD CHALLENGE! Entry period closes on Monday, August 31 at 11:59 p.m. ahead of dove season.

Make sure you’re entered so that if you harvest a Eurasian Collared dove with one of these orange bands on it during season, you can win one of many amazing TBBC prizes. We’re finishing up releasing this year’s 800 birds across the state as we speak!

Go to texasdovehunters.com for more info and to enter.

All smiles knowing we’ll be dove hunting in 10 days, dove number projections are looking up, and all three zones open on Sept. 1. 😎🤠

We are excited!

Do you know your dove? Being able to identify the different types of dove species while in the field is an important aspect of a responsible hunter, especially when they have different legal limits or legal/protected/unprotected statuses. Save these pictures to help your dove IQ come September! Which is your favorite to hunt?

For more information on bag limits, dove species, and more, visit Texas Parks and Wildlife website: tpwd.texas.gov

Which T-Shirt is your favorite? New styles coming throughout dove season too. 😎 Stock up on your TDHA gear for season… check out everything online at texasdovehunters.com/shop-tdha

Congratulations to the two recipients of the 2026 Texas Dove Hunters Association academic scholarships!

Nicholas Riff graduated from Hondo HS in May and is attending Texas A&M this fall, majoring in agricultural economics with an emphasis on finance, real estate, and wealth management. Izzy Reeh graduated from Fredericksburg HS in May and is attending Tarleton University this fall, majoring in kinesiology with plans to become a pediatric occupational therapist.

We want to wish Izzy and Nicholas the best on their academic and professional endeavors, along with ALL the applicants who submitted essays and applied for the scholarships. Everyone who applied embodied what TDHA stands for and it is encouraging to read a pile of essays from young adults about how hunting has positively impacted their lives, and why they believe the Second Amendment is so important.

This year’s scholarships were made possible by the 2025 TDHA Sporting Clay Shoot — so thank you to all our members, shooters, and sponsors who attend our shoots which in turn helps grow our First Flight Youth Program.

We will announce when the 2027 scholarships are open for entries later this year or in early 2027.

If you know, you know.

We bet the dogs are eagerly awaiting Sept. 1 too!

New season Hunting + Fishing licenses go on sale TODAY! 🎣 🦌
Order online or find a nearby retailer at tpwd.texas.gov.

➡ Updated identity verification rules are now in effect to combat residency fraud and support TPWD law enforcement. Here's what to know: bit.ly/LicenseIDFAQ

100% of license sales support Texas’ wild things and wild places. Thank you! 🙏